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Hernandez, Santana giddy over big league luxuries

7/2/14: Enrique Hernandez hits his first career homer to deep left, as his family cheers him on

By Brian McTaggart and Teddy Cahill
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MLB.com |

ANAHEIM -- Ah, the luxuries of life in the Major Leagues.

Their first trip as Major Leaguers has been an eye-opening experience for Astros outfielder Domingo Santana and super utility player Enrique Hernandez, both of whom are on their first road trip after being called up earlier this week. That means charter flights and five-star hotels instead of commercial travel and road roommates.

"The travel is easy and it means you're finally over the bridge," Santana said. "This is what you've been waiting for your whole life and now you just have to work hard and have the same routine just to make sure you can beat the other guys."

Hernandez has been attached to the hip of veteran catcher Carlos Corporan, who like Hernandez also hails from Puerto Rico. The two have been working out together for several years.

"Corpy told me to sit with him [on the team's charter flight] and Domingo was in the next row and I looked at Domingo every 10, 15 minutes and said, 'We're here! This is awesome!'" Hernandez said. "We flew two or three days ago in Triple-A and had to stand around for three hours at the airport and wait for everybody to get in and fight for a seat on the plane and just be uncomfortable. Now we have our own row and we're in the big leagues. It's just unreal."